Refrigerating unit



H. A. `SCHULZ REFRIGERATING UNT Filed Nov. 16, 1959 Oct. 19, 1943.

INVENTOR. Haro/ 17 54c/7u/Z.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT-Tornos Harol'dLA. Schulz', Richland Township. Bucks County, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments. to Hydro Silica Corporation, GasportfN. Y.

Application November 1e, 1939, serial No. supra (ci. sz-12s) claims.

This invention concerns a refrigerating unit, and more particularly a unit applied as an enclosure or a conduit to the matter to be cooled.

the refrigeration being caused by converting a circulated fluid from a liquid into a gaseous state, Refrigeration plates are known, which have spaced walls serving to retain the, refrigerating be prevented, that a uniform level thereof be preserved up to which it is in a liquid state, and thatarrangement be made to allocate such level in a predetermined manner in order to obtain a high degree of eiliciency in the function of the plate. In order to obtain these objects, provisions are made in accordance with this invention for the incorporation of risers and headers in the plates or in their assembly, and in coordination Fig. 2 is a corresponding front elevation.

Fig. 3. is a larger, cross-sectioned front view.

Fig. 4 is a-detail cross-section of a corner. e. g. at the bottom left of -Flg. l, the direction and level of the section being designated in Fig. 3 by the number I.

Similar numerals throughout the various views:

In the embodiment of the drawing the refrigerating'unit is shown as an enclosure or jacket having a rectangular passage, the refrigerating plates being assembled and extending around.

such passage. For purposes of construction each of the `iour sides II, I2, I3 and I4 of the'jacket each of which may represent a refrigerating plate these plates being suitably joined together at of these parts; for the proper appointment of means exciting, starting or activating ebulation, which means are known per se and deilned as ebulators; for an enclosure accumulating spilled over liquids and serving to pass themon in thev desired state; for a predetermined allocation of an accumulator and its adaptation as an otherwise useful component of the unit'. for a preferred allocation ofthe heat reacting flow control means;

and for a lay-out of interconnecting means con- A tributing to the desired results.

Aside from these features directed primarily to the function of the device, the invention also provides improvements in pursuit of numerous objects of elciency in heat distribution and conservation of low temperature; it is directed further tothe provision of a high ratio of useful space to the total space and of ready accessaioillty; and it conserves simplicity of construction leading to economy in iirst costs and substantially eliminating all requirement of maintenance and repair.

These and other objects of this invention are attained by improvements, of which one particular embodiment will now be described in detail, such description being however given in illustration and not in limitation of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing such. a preferred embodiment oi the invention is shown, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view. f

1 their mitered corners, e. g. by a welding operation.

Joints, edges or corners, where parts are brazed or welded together, o r are otherwise united are designated in the drawing by the letter w.

The lower end of the refrigerating jacket, II, I2, I3 and Il may be closed by a pan, which is suitably attached thereto. In the embodiment of the drawing the outer walls Iiof plates II, I2, I3 and Il are for instance extended bottom-wise in order to form the pan together with a bottom Vsheet Il, which interconnects the lower ends of the extensions Ii. Y

The inner walls Il, together with the outerl walls I5 form the plates II, I2, I3 and Il and close upon the outer walls I5 at their upper and lower edges, by way of seams I9 and 2Il for Except at their very ends the outer and inner walls I5 and I8 extend in substantial parallelism., above the seam 20, the at refrigerant space 22 between the two walls being preserved by suitable means, for instance depressions 2l, which are struck-11p towards the inside from the inner walls Il to the width of said space, and which may be suitably engaged upon the-outer walls I5, for instance by spot welds.. l

The space 22 may be enlarged to form risers 2l, where the plates II, I2. I3 and Il are joined t0- gether at their mitered corners. An enlarged cross-section for such risers 24 may for instance be provided for by striking up the marginal por- Vtions 23 of the inner walls I8. In the drawing refer to similar .partspresent means for balancing. the level of the refrigerant in the plates, serving as-reservoirs, so

to speak.

At the top of theplates 'I also provide an en' larged Vcross-section, which offers less resistance to the flow of the refrigerating uid. For such.x

'lower extension I6. Nor does the accumulator 2t have risers on opposite ends, but these ends are closed by seams 29, which are for instance similar to seams 20. Except at its upper end, the accumulator does, therefore, never exceed the cross= section of the dat space 22.

In the embodiment of the drawing the accumulator serves as a partition, which is preferably arranged substantially at the center in line with the connecting tubes 3E and 3l and is there connected with the refrigerating casing, so that the path of the refrigerant from the center of one plate i 3 to the center of the opposite plate il is about the same in both circumferential directions.

Since the accumulator 2S is substantially of the same height as the refrigerating plates of the refrigerating passage, there is clearance between the'accumulator and the pan, and similarly clearances may. be provided upon opposite sides of the accumulator 28 in the passage, the drawing showing connecting tubes or pipes to be in said clearances. Y

For purposes of connections to the outside a window may be provided in the front plate I3, said window representing, for instance a circular opening around which the outer wall I5 and the inner wall I8 of plate I3 are connected along a margaccommodated inal seam 3|).` This window opening is closed by a cover plate 3|, which is suitably attached, e. g. by welding.

Into plate 3i are welded or-brazed an outlet and an intake bushing 32, 33, both of which are adapted, e. g. by an internal thread at the outer ends.

for connecton to refrigerating machinery.

Bushing 32 is connected by a tube 34 to the header 35 on top of accumulator 28, the tube entering endwise upon said header.

Another connecting tube extends from the intake bushing 33 to the dat space 22 of'plate I3 therebelow, said connecting tube 36 being welded' into the inner wall I8 of plate I3.

Upon the opposite ,side of the accumulator 28 a connecting tube 3l connects the lower end lof accumulator plate 28 to the header 21 substantially at the center of the adjacent refrigerating plate The accumulator plate may be supplementarily 'secured in the'refrigerating passage, e. g." by

angle plates 38, some of which are shown tojextend between the top of the accumulator 28 and adjacent refrigerating plates II and I3.

The closed end ofa feeler tube 39 is intimately attached, e. g.. by brazing, to the accumulator 28, and is shown to extend over about one third of the width of the latter. This feeler sleeve 39 opens to the outside of the reirigerating unit, where it has a flared opening for the purpose of insertion' of 'a heat responsive instrument,\like low points in the vrefrigerating plates.

a thermal couple. The feeler tube 39 may outwardly be suitably supported upon cover 3l,

AWhere it passes therethrough, e. g. by a rubber bushing 40.

According to this invention means for exciting and accelerating ebulation are accommodated at Various activating materials are suitable for this purpose. If the material, e. g. carbon, is used in the form of thin rods or sticks, they may be extended in a more or less uniform continuity around the refrigerating passage in the plate, so that there is substantially equal activating of ebulation in all parts. In the embodiment of the drawing pieces of rattan reed 4I rest in plates II, I2, i and Id across the lowest rows of depressions 2i, so that they are well exposed to the liquid refrigerant. These ebulatbrs may be deposited in such position before the plates are assembled with each other because they remain serviceable for the life of the Plate assembly.

In present day refrigerating apparatus we commonly nd some oil originating at the compressor to be admixed with the circulated refrigerant.

- Such oil has the tendency of causing superheating,

because it retardsebulation of the refrigerant. This is overcome by exciting ebulation. e. g. by' an ebulator of the instant invention.

But disregarding the direct effect of oil upon ebulation, it must also be considered, that the oil has a tendency to settle where the leastamount of refrigeration is required, or where there is the least ow of refrigerant. Where such an oil concentration occurs, .normal ebulation is retarded, so that the unit is not allowed to function normally. Nor can this be overcome by temperature control means, such as thermostatic expansion valves. As a matter of factundue superheating of the evaporated refrigerant causes the. control means to actuate theg' valve admitting additional refrigerant, when thislis not required. An excess of refrigerant will flow over into the suction lines where it causes frosting, will further upset the refrigerating system, and may even lead to damage of the compressor.

This is also overcome by providing the ebulators at low points in the refrigerating plates. Because such an arrangement leads to an even degree of ebulation from the bottom up; and the apparatus may be adjusted to provide for liquid refrigerant substantially up to the top of the plates, so that the supernatant oil is readily caused to spill over, whereas the smoothly boiling liquid refrigerant preserves a substantially constant level in the refrigerating plates. This result,which is of courseat the same time also to be attributed tothe provision of risers and headers and the box formation of vthe refrigerating plate,permits a much more accurate setting of the heat regulated iiow control means, so that y the desired high level of the liquid refrigerantv in the plate doe's not exist in theory only, but will be actually preserved.

The operation of the embodiment used herein for illustration of the invention will now be reviewed: The liquid refrigerant entering by connecting tube 36 divides in opposite direction, as it enters upon plate I3, one stream reaching plate II by way of plate I2 and the intervening risers, Whereas the other branch of owvextends around the other side through plate I4 and the respective risers tothe plate II.v In this manner substan- .tially all four platesII, I2, I3 and lI4 are lled with the lliquid refrigerant, the risers at the corners serving 'as reservoirs balancing distribuformation does not o cooling in the surrounded passage and the maintenance of the low temperature in said space, but

risers, an endless level header Vupper ends of said risers, an overow on said tion and facilitating ilow from one plate to the other.

The suction circuit extends from bushing. 32 by way of connecting tube 34 and headers 35 to the accumulator 23, and from the lowex end of. the accumulator by way of connecting tube 3l to the header 21, which extends endlessly on top of the refrigerating plates Il, l2, I3 and *I4* and fully communicates with all of these plates. The suction applied in the` header 21 to the refrigerating plates below is substantially even throughout the header, on account of the generous cross-section thereof. `The ebulators Il. which extend around the refrigerating passage in the plates,

.will cause .even ebulation at a low level of all plates under the suction applied by way of the headers 21, and theevolved refrigerant bubbles will carry particles of oil'along in their upward path. The oil accumulates on top of the liquid refrigerant and will ilow over into the accumulator, from where the gas, rushing at comparatively high speed on account of the limited crosssection of accumulator 23'will readily carry the oil there accumulating together with'reirigerant over and out of the refrigerating unit.

The arrangement of the plates'in a box-like y contribute to an even will also set up an effective protective wall against an accumulator plate in the jacket heat propogated from the space outwardly surrounding the refrigerating unit.

According to the instant invention the heat u reactive control means are arranged above the center of the refrigerating unit, a preferred allocation having been found to be in the range sub- 1 stantially between two-thirds and three-quarters of the over-'all height of the accumulator above the lower end of the accumulator, in connection with the type oi embodiment shown in the drawing. Accordingly the feeler sleeve 33, which serves to receive the heat responsive implement,

should be incorporated'in the accumulator plate at substantially that level. A

Having thus described my invention in detail, yet I do not wish to be limited thereby, except header and an accumulator plate having spaced walls'and an elevated outlet and connected near its lower end with said overflow, so that refrigerant spilled through said overilow accumulates in said plate until withdrawn by way of said outlet.

5. A refrigeratingv unit comprising vertical risers, an endless header interconnecting the upper ends of said risers, and refrigerating plates having spaced walls and being panelled between said risers and header in full intercommunication with said risers and header,- said unit having an overllow outlet on said header and an intake in one of said panelled plates at a point removed fronisaid risers and header.

6. A refrigerating unit having a vertical, tubuv larvpassage andcomprising an outer .wall and-an unit and formed in the material of said walls.

a hollow partition in said unit serving as an ac. cumulator for the refrigerant and connected at a low point with said header, and a header at the upper end of said partition and having a suction outlet, so that suction applied to vsaid outlet will withdraw refrigerant from said jacket by way of said partition.

'1. AA refrigerating unit comprising a refrigerating plate assembly forming an upright jacket, iornied by said refrigerating plate series therewith, and avfeeler sleeve forming part oi said accumulatorplate and extending therefrom through said refrigerating plate assembly to the outside. l

8. A refrigeratlng unit comprising a refrigerating plate assembly forming a substantially tubular, vertical jacket, of said plate assembly and forming a rim around the outside thereof, and an overflow outlet on said heater.

as the state of the art and the appended claims may require, for it is obvious that various modi- Vilcations and changes may be made in the form of embodiment of my invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.v

What I claim is:

1.- A refrigerating unit comprising a plurality of refrigerating plates 'each made of relatively spaced walls, said plates forming the sides of a rectangle .endlessly surrounding a vertical passage', said walls being further spacedv apart at the corners of the rectangle than at the sidePOltions extending between the corners.

2. A refrigerating unit comprising refrigerating plates having double walls ,and arranged inv rectangular, upright formation, and a horizontal header communicating with the upper ends of said plates. to their greatest width having an overiiow below its top level and forming an endless loop.

3. A multi-cornered refrigerating assembly comprising a pair of relatively' spaced vwalls endlessly surrounding a columnar space on all sides, and serving as a Jacket accommodating Ya. body of refrigerant, one of said walls being olest relatively to the other at the corners of the assembly, so that in a horizontal plane the jacket is of wider cross-section at the corners than inbetween.

4. A refrigerating unit comprising vertical 'interconnecting the ing plates having doublewalls rectangular,

9. A refrigerating unit comprising. a refrigerating plate assembly forming a substantially rectangular, vertical jacket and having risers'of enheader at the top 'of said plate assembly forming a rim around the outside of said plate assembly, and an overllow outlet on said heater.

. v10. A refrlgerating unit comprising refrigeratand arranged in upright formation. header communicating said plates, having an overilow below its top level and forming an endless loop, and ,an accumulator substantially the -shapeoi one `of said intake being connected to said overliow. l

1l. A refrigerating runit comprising an assem-l bly ot relatively spaced, substantially parallel walls surrounding the space to be cooled, risers formed on opposite t0n of said assembly, intercommunicating walls of said assembly said risers and header fully. with the space between the and with each other and being wider in cross-section than said assembly, and an intake for a liquid refrigerant opening onto said assembly at a point removed from said risers and header.

12. A refrigerating unit having an outer and an innerwall forming sides of a, polygonal re ceptacle, the inner wall havin relatively spaced portions cooperating with the outer wall toV form between 'said walls substantially parallel reentrant columnar spaces or enlarged cross-section assembly and connected in an endless header at the top its corners, an endless a hor'isontal` with the upper ends of t sides in and a header at the an accumulator, and the other plates being connected in parallel with each other but in series with said plate serving as an accumulator.

14. A refrigerating` unit having a double wall surrounding a space for articles to be cooled. s. partition extending across said space. and formed of a double wall having edge portions adjacent the iirst mentioned wall, an inlet for refrigerant connected to the rst mentioned wall and an outlet for refrigerant connected to said partition, the

rst mentioned wall having passages therein connected to said inlet and said partition having pas-1 sages connected to the rst mentioned passages asses-49 and to said outlet. the passages and the connections therebetween being arransed to cause a. ilow of refrigerant from said inlet in parallel around lsaid space and then through said partition to Csaid outlet. v

l5. A reirigerating unit comprising an assembly v extending about a material receiving space and having hollow walls defining refrigerant passages, said assembly having a front position provided with an inlet intermediate its height and width, a hollow partition defining refrigerant passages and extending betweenront and rear portions of the assembly and located midway the width of the assembly. a conduit arranged to provide for flow of refrigerant from the lower rear corner of said partition to the upper edge of said rear portion at a point adjacent the upper rear corner of the partition, and an outlet pipe leading from the upper front corner of said partition.

HAROLD A. SCHULZ. 

